‘Infomercials’ for Doctors

Oct. 8, 2014

To the Editor:

Re “Detailing Financial Links of Doctors and Drug Makers” (Business Day, Oct. 1): Traditionally, doctors have attended medical meetings and conferences as a way of keeping abreast of the latest developments in our fields. Increasingly, the speakers at meetings turn out to be paid consultants to the companies that manufacture the product being discussed.

It has become difficult for physicians in the audience to tell whether we are listening to valid scientific advice or an “infomercial” for a product in which the speaker has a financial interest.